Edwin Price Ramsey Colonel, U.S. Army
Edwin Price Ramsey graduated from Oklahoma Military Academy. After entering the U.S. Army, he volunteered to serve with the 26th Cavalry Regiment, Philippine Scouts, in the Pacific Theater of Operations. After Japan invaded the Philippines, Ramsey escaped to mobilize, and later lead, as many as 40,000 guerrilla fighters in central Luzon. On 16 January 1942 on Bataan, then-MAJ Ramsey led the last mounted Cavalry charge in U.S. history, for which he received the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.
From 21 April 1942 to 30 April 1945, MAJ Ramsey’s unit was in action against Japanese forces in the Philippine Islands. MAJ Ramsey was Adjutant and 2nd in command of The East Central Luzon Guerilla Area, comprising 7 provinces. MAJ Ramsey personally organized guerilla forces in Pampanga, Manila, Tarlac, and Pangasinan. Then, assuming command with the capture of his superior officers on 21 January 1943, MAJ Ramsey coordinated and completed the organization of Guerilla units in Central Luzon. After establishing headquarters on Mount Balabac, north of Montalban on the outskirts of Manila, MAJ Ramsey directed intelligence activities, the dissemination of propaganda, and the organization of combat units. By every available courier, intelligence reports were sent to Panay and Mindoro. In October 1944, radio contact was established with General Headquarters, Southwest Pacific Area, which proved invaluable as vital information could now be supplied daily. MAJ Ramsey, commanding 10,000 with a reserve of approximately 20,000 officers and men, mobilized units that sabotaged and harassed the Japanese in every manner possible. When American forces arrived in East Central Luzon, MAJ Ramsey made available to them well organized, armed troops, guides, and intelligence personnel. Later, MAJ Ramsey supplied more than 4,000 men for the American Army. Although physically handicapped by illness, MAJ Ramsey's, untiring efforts, organizing ability, courage, and outstanding leadership, materially advanced the success of Allied operations in the Philippine Islands and earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.
Post-Military Life:
After the war, Ramsey attended the University of Oklahoma Law School, represented Hughes Aircraft Co. in Japan, and later was president of his own companies in Taiwan, then in the Philippines.
In retirement, Ramsey moved to Los Angeles, CA, and began another career as a public speaker following the success of his 1991 war memoir (excerpted in Readers Digest, the book remains in print to this day). He also lobbied Congress to fulfill its wartime promise of benefits for Filipinos who fought for the U.S. in WWII, and he was made an honorary Green Beret.
Medals and Awards:
Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star Medal Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart
Distinguished Service Cross Citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Cavalry) Edwin Price Ramsey (ASN: 0-368746), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in the Philippine Islands from 21 April 1942 to 30 April 1945. Major Ramsey was assigned as adjutant and second in command of The East Central Luzon Guerilla Area, comprising seven provinces. He personally organized guerilla forces in Pampanga, Manila, Tarlac, and Pangasinan and, assuming command with the capture of his superior officers on 21 January 1943, coordinated and completed the organization of Guerilla units in Central Luzon. Establishing headquarters on Mount Balabac, north of Montalban, on the outskirts of Manila, Major Ramsey directed intelligence activities, the dissemination of propaganda, and the organization of combat units. By every available courier, intelligence reports were sent to Panay and Mindoro. In October 1944 radio contact was established with General Headquarters, Southwest Pacific Area, which proved invaluable as vital information could now be supplied daily. Commanding 10,000 officers and men, with a reserve of approximately 20,000, Major Ramsey mobilized units which effectively sabotaged and harassed the enemy in every possible manner. Upon the arrival of the American forces in East Central Luzon, he made available to them well organized, armed troops, guides, and intelligence personnel and since that time, supplied more than 4,000 men for the American Army. Major Ramsey, although physically handicapped by illness, through his untiring efforts, organizing ability, commendable courage and outstanding leadership, materially advanced the success of Allied operations in the Philippine Islands.
Headquarters, U.S. Forces-Pacific, General Orders No. 9 (June 13, 1945)
Death and Burial:
Colonel Edwin Price Ramsey died on 7 March 2013 in Westwood, CA. He is buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Arlington County, VA, in Section 59, Site 4890.
Source: Military Hall of Honor